as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of
the principal overstepped her authority in ordering everyone to remain in the unheated school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overstep
Professors and administrators across the country have claimed these efforts overstep and violate their right to academic freedom, but what does that mean?
—
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Though many in policy-making and legislative positions may have found his views repellant, that did not distract from bipartisan concern that the federal enforcement operation may have overstepped constitutional bounds.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office overstepped its legal bounds in signing an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a legal analysis provided to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Willis pushed back on the notion Tolbert has overstepped.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overstep
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Though many in policy-making and legislative positions may have found his views repellant, that did not distract from bipartisan concern that the federal enforcement operation may have overstepped constitutional bounds.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office overstepped its legal bounds in signing an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a legal analysis provided to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Willis pushed back on the notion Tolbert has overstepped.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overstep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstep
Verb
-
In the Midwest, temperatures exceeding 90 were predicted across Nebraska, followed by a big drop to the 50s and 60s Sunday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
In formal comments to state regulators, the company made clear that compliance costs in California exceed those in other jurisdictions with emissions trading systems.—
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whether robots ultimately surpass human sprinters or not, their rapid progress underscores a larger transformation, one where physical intelligence is becoming as critical as digital intelligence in the evolution of AI.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Johnson then promptly loaded up with three early 3-pointers, surpassing his previous high for 3-pointers in a game.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstep. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
